Apparatus for and method of making wire glass



June 16, 1931. E. w. PAXTON 1,809,863

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING WIRE GLASS Filed Feb. 7, 1930INVENTOR ATTORN EY Fatented June it 15, 1931 tests untrue 'srnrss PATENTcruise ELISELA w, raxron, or wasnmero'n, rmvnsvnvmm, assreuoa ".ronrenna'nn wns'rnnn GLASS compan or wasmrreron, rnnnsrnvauu, Aconrona'rron' or DELAWARE APPARATUS FDR AND METHOD OF MAKING WIRE GLASSApplication filed February 7, 1930. Serial No. 426,584.

This invention relates to apparatus for making wire glass by continuousprocess, and it is among the objects thereof to provide a means forcontinuously feeding molten glass to a sheet forming pass between rollsand to simultaneously feed the wire into the glass.-

;.1 &nother object of the invention is the'provision of a wire settingdevice which also functions to control the fiow of glass to the rollpass, and which is constructed to pre vent deterioration of the glassfrom contact with certain of its parts.

A further objectof the invention is the provision of means formaintaining a reducing or non-oxidizing atmosphere in the region wherethe wire comes in contact withv the glass. 4

These and other objects will become more apparent from a considerationof the accom-.

panying drawings in which like reference characters designate like partsand in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section partially in elevatlon of aglass feeding and wire setting device embodying the principles of thisinoperating with the glass sheet forming rolls 7.

A combined wi're setting and flow controlling device'lO is disposedwithin the box adjacent the roll pass' The member 10 comprises a pair ofsuitable heat resisting metal members having the property of preventinchemical action with the molten glass an these members have outwardlyflaring portions 11 that function to support refractory,

members 13 and which further coo crate with the reduced ends 8 of blocks5 an 6, and'the rolls 7 to direct and control the glass flow in thedirection of the roll pass.

The members 10 are provided with straps or legs 12 which are perforatedat 16 to receive bolts 17 for securing the straps to blocks 15. :T hewire setting device is supported by a ,frame 18 which'is mounted on theroof 1 and blocks 19 of difierent thicknesses may be employed to varythe distance of the bottom gate or openingfrom the roll pass. Aclearance space is provided in the roof 1 to permit lateral adjustmentof the suspendedmember.

The top of the setting, device or wire uide may be partially closed by acap 20, 21.11 end pieces 21, Fig. 2, may be utilized to constitute thesetting device a unitary member. Wire netting 14, commonly employed inwire glass, is disposed in the space between the members 10' andextended through the gate 22 to the glass between the pass 23 of rolls7. The space 24 between the flared portion 11 of the metal members andthe rolls 7 is regulated b the position of the setting device to centreregulation of the flow otglass as desired. Burner ports 25, or any othersuitable heating'means may be provided to maintain the glass at suitableworking temperatures.

In the operation of the-device, the glass is preferably maintainedat alevel above the top of the flared ends 11 of the metal mems hers therebypreventing oxidation of the metal in the region of the glass anddeterioration of the'latter. By proper adjustment of the wire settingdevice, the space 24 may be eontrolled to obtain the desired glass flowin relation to wire travel, thereby preventing the wire passing througha large quantity of molten glass which would tend to detract from highquality product. 1

Wire netting 14 is drawn or inducted into the roll pass by themovementof the set glass leaving the roll pass. Glass is prevented from enteringthe space between the metal members 10 by the restricted gate22 and alsoby movementoi the wire. The wire is preheated while moving in thedirection of the gate 22 and its oxidation may be prevented by providinga reducing ornon-oxidizing atmosphere in thespafce or wire passage.

On account ofthe straps 1-2 and the refractory material 13, very littleheat is conducted from the glass, and the metal members ll) alsofunction to support the refractory material 5 able wire guide providesfor accurate control of the flow of ass thus assuring uniformly -goodquality 0% the wire glass product.

The structure as shown in Fig. 1 may be attached to or formed integrallywith the glass melting tank or it may be mounted on tracks or othermovable support to transfer it tool from the tank and annealing lehr.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvariousmodifications may be made in the details .of construction withoutdeparting from v the principles herein set forth.

I claim: 1. Apparatus for makingwire glass com- 'prising an enclosurefor supporting a glass pool having an opening for the escape of theglass, a pair of rolls cooperating with said opening to form sheetglass-and a wire guide for feeding wire to the roll pass, said uidebeing shaped to cooperate with said r0 ls to control the flow of glassto said pass. I

2. Apparatus for making wire glass comprising an enclosure forsupporting a glass pool having an opening for the escape of glass, apair of rolls cooperating with said opening to form sheet glass and awire guide for feeding wire to the roll pass, said guide being shapedcomplementary to the rolls and adjustably mounted to control the flow ofglass to said pass.

3. Apparatus for making wire glass comprising an enclosure forsupporting a glass pool having an opening for the escape of the glass, apair of rolls cooperating with said opening to form sheet glass and awire guide for feeding wire to the roll pass, said guide beingadjustable in a vertical and lateral direction to control the flow ofglass to said ass. p 4. Apparatus for making wire glass comprising anenclosure for supporting a glass 001 having a plurality of removableblocks orming a passage for the exit of glass from the pool, a pair ofrolls coo crating with said passage and a wire gui e cooperating withsaid rolls, said wire guide, blocks, and

rolls being shaped to-form a glass confining passage 0 decreasing width.

5. A wire guide for feeding wire to sheet glass forming rolls comprisinga compositestructure of metal and refractory material, said metal beingshaped to form a supporting member for the refractory material and toconstitute a gate for the passage of. wire therethrough.

6. Apparatus for making wire glass comprising a support for a pool ofmolten glass having an exit for glass from the pool and a wire guide incooperative relation with said exit, said guide having metal andrefractory parts in contact with the glass pool and so proportioned thatthe glass contacting partsextending portions of relatively small crosssectional area supported at their upper ends and having refractorymaterial supported on said metal members.

8. Apparatus as'set forth in claim 7 in which the wire guide is adaptedto be filled with a reducing or non-oxidizing atmosphere to prevent orcontrol oxidation of the wire.

passing therethrough.

.In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6th da ofFebruary, 1930.

EL SHA W. PAXTON.

